March 15, 2025
By Isabella Apple
Staff Writer
The winter competition cheer team placed third out of four teams in the Coed Division for the New Jersey Cheer and Dance State Championship. The event, which took place on Feb. 23, was held at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.
Senior captain Skyler Montillo, a base who has been on the competition team for four years, said the main challenge heading into states was that the team updated its routine about a week earlier to increase its difficulty and earn more points.
“We had many new stunts that we [were] competing [with] for the first time at states,” Montillo said. “Getting everyone ready and confident in these skills was challenging.”
Montillo said since it was her last time on the mat, she did not want to have any regrets.
“As a team, I do feel we could have done better [by delivering a cleaner performance], but I would not ask for a better group of people [in] my last season,” Montillo said.
Junior front spot Bethany Negron, who is in her first year on the team, said that while some do not consider cheerleading a sport, she believes it is.
“A lot of the skills we do take a lot of work,” Negron said. “Being a base takes a lot of strength, being a flyer takes a lot of balance and tumbling consists of a lot of practice and strength.”
Negron said the team’s coach, Coach Montillo, positively impacted the cheerleaders’ mentality and performance.
“We had many new stunts that we [were] competing [with] for the first time at states.”
“[Coach Montillo] played an important role this season by always supporting us through our ups and downs and always seeking [what was in] the best interest [of] everyone,” Negron said.
This year’s team consisted of two returning and 12 first-year cheerleaders.
Coach Montillo said the first-year cheerleaders met her high expectations.
“The new athletes on the team had impressed me and proved that they could do it,” Coach Montillo said.
She said she loves mentoring the cheerleaders because she enjoys watching them improve individually and as a team.
“As long as they are growing, it is just what keeps me [motivated] to continue coaching,” said Coach Montillo.
